MALTON Hospital’s maternity unit re-opened this week after a £248,000 refurbishment.

Midwife Lynda Fairclough, of the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who leads the midwifery service at Malton, said: “This modernisation programme will enable the team to deliver maternity care in safe and modern, fit-for-the-future premises and will benefit 500 women and their families from the Ryedale area a year.”

Two new ante-natal clinic rooms have been created, and waiting area facilities and a children’s play area upgraded. In addition, the unit has facilities for parent education, post-natal drop-in clinics, baby feeding support and newborn hearing screening.

Lynda said: “The colour scheme and furnishings have been chosen by the women who use the service, together with staff. “ Mike Proctor, the deputy chief executive of the trust, said: “The project provides significant improvements to the environment and patients with new fixtures and fittings throughout, including new ceilings, lighting, doors, floor coverings, furniture and welcoming decor.”

He added: “The delivery of safe, effective and efficient midwifery care is of the utmost importance right across the trust and key to this is the investment in the maternity unit refurbishment at Malton.”

The maternity team staff the Malton unit seven days a week 8.30am-4.30pm where ante-natal care includes clinics and other maternity services are held. The team also provides an outreach ante-natal and post-natal services and on-call home birth service.

Malton’s mayor, Coun Jason Fitzgerald-Smith, said: “The refurbishment of the unit is wonderful news especially as it had been under threat. It reflects that public opinion does have a power because people were anxious to see it retained. I hope that it will be the start of more services being provided and expanded at our hospital.”

Coun Lindsay Burr, one of the leading campaigners for the hospital, said: “It is a great vote of confidence in the hospital and its staff. I am delighted with this investment because the hospital is a major asset and necessity for the whole of Ryedale.”